BILL LOTHIAN

Edinburgh Rugby have received a boost ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Connacht with second row Ben Toolis and flanker Hamish Watson signing one and two-year contract extensions respectively.

Edinburgh have also announced the departure of ex-Scotland wing Nikki Walker, who made the last of two appearances in September 2013 but has remained on the staff. Watson, 23, newly recovered from a broken jaw, says: “Last season my opportunities were a bit limited, then I started the first game after the summer and got into a good run.”

Toolis, 22, has started eight successive games after coming off the bench against Lyon. The former Queensland Academy player, whose mother is Scottish, said: “Things have happened a bit sooner than I expected, it’s the right decision for me. Now I’m getting game time, Edinburgh are on the rise and I want to be part of it.”